Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
True Dough
True Dough's Journal
True Dough's Journal
December 31, 2018
None of the top-6 most highly paid NFL QBs made the playoffs this year!
Crazy stat:
https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1079541500827103232
Either they're overpaid or they're surrounded by a lack of talent. Make your argument.
*Garoppolo gets an asterisk because he went down early with a season-ending knee injury.
December 31, 2018
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2018/12/30/nfl-draft-2019-number-one-pick-arizona-cardinals/2441851002/
Arizona Cardinals secure the #1 pick in 2019 NFL draft
Some consolation for Jon, our resident Cardinals fan, following an agonizing season...
The starting point of the 2019 NFL draft is now in the hands of the Arizona Cardinals.
With a 27-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, the Cardinals secured the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft.
The franchise has never held the first pick in the draft since its move to Arizona in 1988. The Chicago Cardinals held the top selection in 1958, when they drafted Rice quarterback King Hill. The Cardinals selected quarterback Josh Rosen last year after moving up to the No. 10 slot. But Arizona could be looking for help at a multitude of positions after finishing with the NFL's worst offense and sporting several holes on defense.
Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa has been the early projection of many to be the first player selected, but Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and offensive tackle Jonah Williams are among the other notable names expected to be off the board early in the first round.
With a 27-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, the Cardinals secured the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft.
The franchise has never held the first pick in the draft since its move to Arizona in 1988. The Chicago Cardinals held the top selection in 1958, when they drafted Rice quarterback King Hill. The Cardinals selected quarterback Josh Rosen last year after moving up to the No. 10 slot. But Arizona could be looking for help at a multitude of positions after finishing with the NFL's worst offense and sporting several holes on defense.
Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa has been the early projection of many to be the first player selected, but Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and offensive tackle Jonah Williams are among the other notable names expected to be off the board early in the first round.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2018/12/30/nfl-draft-2019-number-one-pick-arizona-cardinals/2441851002/
December 30, 2018
The most miserable fan bases in pro sports
Compiled by ESPN. Does this match your perception?
1. Sacramento Kings, 27.1 points
2. San Diego Padres, 25.51
3. Cleveland Browns, 23.47
4. Florida Panthers, 23.17
5. Buffalo Bills, 22.69
6. Chicago White Sox, 20.66
7. Cincinnati Reds, 20.17
8. Buffalo Sabres, 19.76
9. Chicago Bears, 19.51
10. New York Jets, 19.05
The article goes on to list the next 15 frustrating franchises and provides rationale for each selection.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24367000/the-top-25-most-miserable-fan-bases-professional-sports
December 30, 2018
Teddy Bridgewater getting the start today for the Saints
It's his first start since his horrific knee injury in 2016. With New Orleans having already clinched the NFC South, they can afford to give Drew Brees the week off.
Bridgewater is only 26 and will be a free agent next season. There's likely to be a lot of teams watching him closely today.
December 28, 2018
https://news.gallup.com/poll/245651/religion-considered-important-americans.aspx
Record-low 46% in U.S. say religion can solve all or most problems
From a recent Gallup poll:
78% think religion is losing its influence on American life
Religion is important to 72% in U.S., including 51% "very important"
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As many Americans prepare to celebrate Christmas, 72% say religion is important in their lives, including 51% who say it is very important. Christians' attachment to religion is even higher, as 62% find it very important.
Although these findings, from a Dec. 3-12 Gallup poll, show that religion is still very important to a slim majority, they provide further evidence of the long-term decline in the importance of religion in Americans' lives. This decline has also been seen in Gallup's data on waning church attendance and self-identification with a particular religion.
When Gallup first asked Americans to rate the importance of religion in their lives in 1952, 75% said it was very important and 20% fairly important. Those percentages were roughly the same when the question was next asked, in 1965, but by 1978, they had dropped to 52% very important and 32% fairly important. Since then, the percentage identifying religion as very important has fluctuated, rising above 61% in only two single readings: 64% in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and 65% one year later. The historical low single reading of 49% was recorded in May 2015.
Over time, Americans have generally been more likely to say religion as a whole is losing, rather than increasing, its influence on American life. With the exception of three readings -- 69% in 1957; and 71% in December 2001 and 53% in March 2002 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks -- no more than half of the public has viewed religion as gaining influence.
Although these findings, from a Dec. 3-12 Gallup poll, show that religion is still very important to a slim majority, they provide further evidence of the long-term decline in the importance of religion in Americans' lives. This decline has also been seen in Gallup's data on waning church attendance and self-identification with a particular religion.
When Gallup first asked Americans to rate the importance of religion in their lives in 1952, 75% said it was very important and 20% fairly important. Those percentages were roughly the same when the question was next asked, in 1965, but by 1978, they had dropped to 52% very important and 32% fairly important. Since then, the percentage identifying religion as very important has fluctuated, rising above 61% in only two single readings: 64% in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and 65% one year later. The historical low single reading of 49% was recorded in May 2015.
Over time, Americans have generally been more likely to say religion as a whole is losing, rather than increasing, its influence on American life. With the exception of three readings -- 69% in 1957; and 71% in December 2001 and 53% in March 2002 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks -- no more than half of the public has viewed religion as gaining influence.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/245651/religion-considered-important-americans.aspx
December 27, 2018
Profiting from misery
Absolutely disgusting!
https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1078279342134841355
Private prison giant GEO Group, which both jails and employs migrants, expects its earnings to grow to $2.3 billion this year. Like other private prison companies, it made sizable donations to Trump's campaign and inaugural
December 23, 2018
Frank Gore, by the way, says he wants to return for his 15th NFL season next year.
Adrian Peterson moves up to 8th on all-time rushing list
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson surpassed 1,000 yards for the season Saturday, becoming the oldest running back to reach the milestone in 34 years.
In the process, the 33-year-old Peterson surpassed one of his idols -- Eric Dickerson -- to move into eighth on the all-time rushing list.
Peterson entered Saturday's game against the Tennessee Titans needing 77 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. He ran for 60 yards in the first half and gained the necessary yards on his first carry in the fourth quarter, a 5-yard gain.
He is 2 months older than Frank Gore was when he accomplished the feat two years ago, making Peterson the oldest player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since former Redskins running back John Riggins did so in 1984.
In the process, the 33-year-old Peterson surpassed one of his idols -- Eric Dickerson -- to move into eighth on the all-time rushing list.
Peterson entered Saturday's game against the Tennessee Titans needing 77 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. He ran for 60 yards in the first half and gained the necessary yards on his first carry in the fourth quarter, a 5-yard gain.
He is 2 months older than Frank Gore was when he accomplished the feat two years ago, making Peterson the oldest player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since former Redskins running back John Riggins did so in 1984.
Frank Gore, by the way, says he wants to return for his 15th NFL season next year.
December 21, 2018
https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/trump-named-man-of-the-year-by-isis
Trump named man of the year
by ISIS! (Thanks, Andy Borowitz!)
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Capping an extraordinary 2018, Donald J. Trump announced on Thursday that he had been named Man of the Year by the terrorist organization known as isis.
Trump made the announcement after receiving the news from the leader of isis, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, whom Trump called “a terrific, fabulous guy.”
“I got along great with him, and he said a lot of nice things about me,” Trump said. “He said isis didn’t even consider anyone else.”
Trump, who is expecting to receive an official Man of the Year plaque from isis in the next few weeks, said that the award “came as a total surprise to me.”
“It’s a particularly impressive honor when you consider isis was co-founded by Hillary and Obama,” he said.
Trump made the announcement after receiving the news from the leader of isis, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, whom Trump called “a terrific, fabulous guy.”
“I got along great with him, and he said a lot of nice things about me,” Trump said. “He said isis didn’t even consider anyone else.”
Trump, who is expecting to receive an official Man of the Year plaque from isis in the next few weeks, said that the award “came as a total surprise to me.”
“It’s a particularly impressive honor when you consider isis was co-founded by Hillary and Obama,” he said.
https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/trump-named-man-of-the-year-by-isis
December 20, 2018
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25580285/new-england-patriots-receiver-josh-gordon-says-stepping-away-focus-mental-health
Josh Gordon leaving the Pats to focus on mental health
He seemed to be adjusting to the Pats' offense. He's a talented receiver, no doubt. Hope he can finally get his personal life straightened out whether he ever steps back on the field again or not.
New England Patriots receiver Josh Gordon said Thursday he is stepping away from football to focus on his mental health.
In a statement on Twitter, Gordon said: "I take my mental health very seriously at this point to ensure I remain able to perform at the highest level. I have recently felt like I could have a better grasp on things mentally. With that said, I will be stepping away from the football field for a bit to focus on my mental health."
Gordon went on to thank coach Bill Belichick, team owner Robert Kraft, the Patriots organization and the fans. A short time later, the Patriots said in a statement that they support Gordon "in his continued efforts to focus on his health."
In a statement on Twitter, Gordon said: "I take my mental health very seriously at this point to ensure I remain able to perform at the highest level. I have recently felt like I could have a better grasp on things mentally. With that said, I will be stepping away from the football field for a bit to focus on my mental health."
Gordon went on to thank coach Bill Belichick, team owner Robert Kraft, the Patriots organization and the fans. A short time later, the Patriots said in a statement that they support Gordon "in his continued efforts to focus on his health."
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25580285/new-england-patriots-receiver-josh-gordon-says-stepping-away-focus-mental-health
December 20, 2018
https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/19/us/illinois-catholic-church-abuse-allegations/index.html
Even more sexual abuse cover up
Disgusting!
(CNN) In yet another blow to the Catholic Church in the United States, Illinois' attorney general says the state's six dioceses have failed to disclose accusations of sexual abuse against at least 500 priests and clergy members.
Illinois' dioceses have released lists publicly identifying 185 clergy members who had been credibly accused of child sex abuse. But state Attorney General Lisa Madigan said preliminary findings in her ongoing investigation reveal that the church failed to disclose sexual abuse allegations against at least 500 additional priests and clergy members.
In many cases, the accusations have "not been adequately investigated by the dioceses or not investigated at all," Madigan's office said in a statement Wednesday. What's more, the statement added, the church often failed to notify law enforcement authorities or state Department of Children and Family Services about the allegations.
"By choosing not to thoroughly investigate allegations, the Catholic Church has failed in its moral obligation to provide survivors, parishioners and the public a complete and accurate accounting of all sexually inappropriate behavior involving priests in Illinois," Madigan said in the statement. "The failure to investigate also means that the Catholic Church has never made an effort to determine whether the conduct of the accused priests was ignored or covered up by superiors."
Illinois' dioceses have released lists publicly identifying 185 clergy members who had been credibly accused of child sex abuse. But state Attorney General Lisa Madigan said preliminary findings in her ongoing investigation reveal that the church failed to disclose sexual abuse allegations against at least 500 additional priests and clergy members.
In many cases, the accusations have "not been adequately investigated by the dioceses or not investigated at all," Madigan's office said in a statement Wednesday. What's more, the statement added, the church often failed to notify law enforcement authorities or state Department of Children and Family Services about the allegations.
"By choosing not to thoroughly investigate allegations, the Catholic Church has failed in its moral obligation to provide survivors, parishioners and the public a complete and accurate accounting of all sexually inappropriate behavior involving priests in Illinois," Madigan said in the statement. "The failure to investigate also means that the Catholic Church has never made an effort to determine whether the conduct of the accused priests was ignored or covered up by superiors."
https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/19/us/illinois-catholic-church-abuse-allegations/index.html
Profile Information
Member since: Mon Jul 18, 2016, 12:36 AMNumber of posts: 17,302